NEW YORK and VIENNA, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- NEW YORK and VIENNA, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

AFFiRiS AG announced today at a press conference in New York results of AFF008, a Phase I clinical trial of PD01A, a vaccine against Parkinson's disease. PD01A is the first therapy against the protein alpha-synuclein, a promising Parkinson's drug target, to enter clinical testing.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) supported the study with a $ 1.5 million grant, and presented at the press conference on the impact a disease-modifying therapy would have for patients. The Foundation will support a follow-up study testing a boost vaccination, the next step toward a Phase II trial.

"A treatment that could slow or stop Parkinson's progression would be a game changer for the five million worldwide living with this disease and the many more who will become at risk as our population ages", said MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. "The AFF008 trial is one of the most promising efforts toward that goal, and we're proud to support this work of AFFiRiS AG."

In this study, two different doses of PD01A were safe and well tolerated, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial. Secondary endpoints of the study included the induction of an alpha-synuclein-specific antibody response. A hallmark pathology of Parkinson's disease is aggregates of protein - chiefly alpha-synuclein - called Lewy bodies that accummulate in brain cells, leading to cell degeneration and cell death. Researchers hypothesize that reducing alpha-synuclein accumulation will be neuroprotective; AFFiRiS is using active immunotherapy to test that theory and develop a disease-modifying treatment.

PD01A was applied at two different doses (15 µg and 75 µg) to 12 patients per group. All received four vaccinations in monthly intervals, and all completed the study. Eight patients on best medical care, including standard symptomatic medication, served as a control group. Each patient was regularly seen and evaluated during a 12-month period.

Fifty percent of the vaccinated patients generated alpha-synuclein-specific antibodies as measured in serum samples. Additionally, vaccine-induced antibodies were detectable in cerebrospinal fluid. This induction of antibodies against alpha-synuclein is strong preliminary evidence in support of the principle of AFFiRiS' proprietary therapeutic vaccine.

Furthermore, analysis of clinical endpoints revealed a trend, consistent over all parameters, towards functional stabilization of the vaccinated groups as compared to non-vaccinated control patients. The pharmacodynamic profile of PD01A and its clinical effects will be the basis of later phase studies, should development continue.

"The safety and tolerability observed in this study, especially in a protein such as alpha-synuclein where we do not yet know its normal function, are encouraging," said Walter Schmidt, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of AFFiRiS AG. "We are grateful for the continued support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation as we progress in clinical development."

The next study will take place in Vienna, Austria and focus on assessing the immunological and clinical effects of a boost vaccination. Recruitment is expected to begin September.

A recording of the press conference will be made available at http://totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=affiris

Photographs from the press conference are available for download immediately after the event at http://imgur.com/a/EwZUK

Further pictures are available at http://www.affiris.com/html/de/presse_medien/bildmaterial_logos.php

Disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements and should not be used for investment decisions.

About AFFiRiS AG (by:May 2014)

Based on its proprietary IP positions AFFiRiS develops tailor-made drugs mainly as Peptide-based vaccines. Target diseases include Alzheimer, Parkinson, Diabetes and other indications with attractive markets and unmet medical need. Alzheimer is the lead indication. Current investors are: MIG-Fonds and Athos Service GmbH, both Munich, Germany. AFFiRiS is located at the campus of the Vienna Biocenter, Vienna Austria and employs 95 highly qualified employees. http://www.affiris.com

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $ 450 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.